Rory McIlroy will be roared on in his homeland as the 153rd British Open gets underway at Royal Portrush on Thursday as world number one Scottie Scheffler seeks his first Claret Jug.The world number three has not won a tournament since lifting the Claret Jug a year ago and has not even managed a top-five finish in 12 tournaments this year.

Two-time major winner Tony Jacklin CBE has predicted Scottie Scheffler will win The 2025 Open, which starts today. Groupings and tee times for the 153rd Open were announced on Tuesday, and the defending champion Xander Schauffele will be grouped with th former world No.

Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy

Chris Gotterup may have secured his FedEx Cup playoff spot by winning the Genesis Scottish Open, jumping from 88th to 39th in the standings. Scottie Scheffler maintains a substantial lead in the FedEx Cup standings despite Rory McIlroy gaining ground.

The field also includes 49 of the world's top 50 players, from Scottie Scheffler to Rory McIlroy, ranked No. 1 and No. 2 respectively, 16 past winners, and 19 top players from the Liv Golf, the Arab Super League.

Scottie Scheffler Sends Four-Word Message Before Tee Off at Open Championship originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Open Championship golfers and the British Open favorite to win ahead of the year's final major at Royal Portrush

The first time that Royal Portrush hosted the Open Championship since 1951, there was heaps of pressure on McIlroy, the biggest sporting star from Northern Ireland since George Best played for Manchester United in the 1960s and 70s, to win. He shot a 79 on Thursday.